Concrete-transporting vehicle



June 26, 1928. 1,674,989

J. D. POWELL CONCRETE TRANSPORTING VEHICLE Filed May 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 2 g Z June 26, 1928.

J. D. POWELL CONCRETE TRANSPORTING VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 18, 1927 //v VE/VTOR.

Patented June 26,. 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. POWELL, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

CONCRETE-TRANSPORTING VEHICLE.

O iginal application filed October 25, 1926, Serial No. 144,044. Divided and this application filed Kay 18,

' 1927. Serial No. 192,275.

My invention relates to a. vehicle for transporting concrete in batches from one locality to another distanced therefrom, as from a locality at which the ingredients, for instance aggregate, sand, cement and water, are supplied to the tank, which locality may be a stationary mixing plant, and transporting the concrete to another location, which may be distant from said first-named locality, at which the concrete is to be used, the concrete during its travel being maintained in wet flowable condition throughout its travel, which travel may be throughout a considerable distance and extend over a number of miles, for instance, when performing a method such as shown, described and claimed in my application for United States patent on method for concrete mixtures, filed b me in the United States Patent Ollice ctober 25, 1926, Serial No. 144,044, of which the present application is a division.

I do not herein claim the method of mixing and of transporting and conditioning herein shown and described, having shown, descri d and claimed the same in my aforesaid ap lication Serial No. 144,044.

It is the object of my invention to provide novel means whereby concrete is transported and is maintained in wet flowable condition during transportation; further, to provide novel means for transporting and agitating the concrete mixture; further, to provide novel means whereby the concrete agitating means and motor therefor are mounted on a traveling vehicle and so related and associated with the vehicle, as to permit continuous agitation of the mixture throughout travel of the vehicle and during periods when the vehicle is not in motion; further, to

rovide novel association of means for drivmg the vehicle, for agitating the mixture, and for discharging said mixture from its containing tank as to provide a compact and conveniently operated mechanism; and, further, to provide novel means for heating the mixture.

The invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved device, showing the agitator tank in normal position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, with the agitator tank shown in tilted or dumpin position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the same, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the same, taken in the plane of the line H of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail view in cross-section, taken in the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the stirrer blades, the shaft for the same being partly broken away.

F ig. 7 is a cross-section of the same, taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6; and,

Fig. 8 is a detail of the control means for the agitator motor, shown in axial section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

In the employment of my invention it, is contemplated that a concrete or other mixture be made at a stationary mixing plant, the mixture being charged in mixed and wet condition into the tank of my improved device, and by it conveyed in batches to the site at which the mixture is to be used, the mixture, during such travel, being main tained in agitated condition for maintaining the mixture freely flowable and for further conditioning the same for use upon discharge of the same from the tank, all as more fully shown, described and claimed in my aforesaid copending application Serial be. 144,- 044. My improved device may also be employed in other relations and for other uses.

The vehicle is exemplified as a motor truck 5, the propelling means of which may be a suitable usual internal combustion engine 6, or other suitable propelling means, having suitable operative connections with the rear wheels 7 for rotating the same, and provided with usual suitable clutch, brake and speed changing gearing. The motor truck is further provided with usual suitable clutch operating and brake operating means, speed control means, and other usual con trol means for the engine, as well as steering means, the latter exemplified by the steering wheel 8, for steering the front wheels 9 of the truck, such operating, control and steering means constructed in usual manner and located, as is usual, in the drivers cab of the truck. Usual springs are interposed between the axles of the wheels and the chassis 10 of the truck in usual manner. The driving motor 6 is located over the front wheels 9, the drivers cab being located on the chassis in rear of the motor 6.

A traveling container, shown as a tank 11, is mounted on the truck, and is provided with a itating means for agitating the m xture. This agitation of the mixture during conveyance of the same causes the mixture to be thoroughly mixed even if the ingredients have not been previously mixed, and to be stirred and thoroughly blended and conditioned, and prevents the setting of the same.

The container on the truck is provided with a charging opening 13, normally closed by a closure 14, shown as a plug hav ng frusto-conical connection with a closure ring 15 on the tank. This closure plug has articulating connection with a closure strap 16, as by means of links 17, articulated with said strap and said plug. The strap is pivoted at 18 to the tank at one of ts ends, and is provided with a fork 13 at its other end, in which a screw 20 is received. The screw is pivoted to the tank and is arranged to be releasably received in the fork. A wing nut 21 is received about the screw for clamping the strap and the closure plug toward the closure ring.

Sufficient space is left in the tank under all loaded conditions to permit proper agitation of the mixture during transportation.

The agitating of the mixture in the tank is shown accomplished by means of a stirrershaft 31, extending lengthwise of the tank, from which stirrer blades 32 extend. These stirrer blades are preferably of greater width than thickness, and are preferably adjustable on the shaft, so that their paths through the material may be wider or narrower as desired, and so that further they may be presented at different inclinations in their paths of travel for imparting endwise movements to the mixtures; furthermore, the blades may be adjusted to opposite anglcs so that some of the blades will present one of their faces as an advancing face and the other blades will present the other of their faces as advancing far, a, and thereby more the materials in oppos e directions.

The adjustment of the blades ma. be accomplished by providing hubs 35, w iich are secured to the shafts at suitable points, as h bolts 36. The hubs may be adjusted iengthwise of the shaft, suitable spline groove and key connections 3? beii'ig between the hubs and the shaft. Each of the blades provided with a flange 38, and :a stem 39 received in a centering hole 40 in the hub. Bolts 41. are received through arcuate slots 42 in the flange 88, and are threaded into the hub, for clamping the flange to a meeting face on the hub at the desired inclinaion.

Adjustments of the hiades may be made by a man entering the tank through the charging opening 13, which serves as a manhole.

The tank comprises a shell 45, which is preferably cylindrical in cross-section, and is provided with heads 46, 47, which may be made releasable from the shell.

The stirrer-shaft 31 is journaledin hearings 48, 49, in the heads. These bearings include stuffing boxes 50, to prevent leakage between the shaft and its bearings. The shaft is also journaled in a bearing 51 on a stand 52 extending rigidly from a platform 53. The platform is provided with brackets 54, by means of which the tank is fixed to the platform. The tank is fixedly held endwise to the platform and also to prevent its rotation on the platform.

An agitating motor is mounted on the platform and is exemplified as an internal combustion gasoline engine 55.

A driven shaft 57 is journaled on the engine frame and in the hub 58 of a sprocket wheel 59 journaled in a bearing 60 of the stand 52. This driven shaft is driven at suitable speeds from the crank shaft of the engine as by means of speed changing mechanism in a suitable gear box 61, from which a usual suitable wiggle stick 62 extends for changing the speed relation and direction of rotation in the gearing. This wiggle stick is provided with a handle 63 which may be operated by the driver through the rear opening 64 in the cap 65 of the vehicle.

One of the clutch collars of a suitable clutch 66 is fixed to said shaft. The other collar of said clutch is slidable axially on the hub 58 for engagement or release of the teeth of said clutch, this latter collar having spline groove and key connection with said hub. A lever 67 is pivoted at 68 to the stand 52 and is provided with a fork 69 provided with suitable pins received in an annular groove 70 in the movable clutch collar for engagement and disengagement of the clutch. This lever readily operable through said rear opening 64, the lever being readily reached by the driver of the vehicle on the drivels scat 'ZL A. gasoline or other iuci tank 72 and a water tank 73 may also be mounted on and be movable with the platform and have suitable connections with the engine 55.

A chain-belt i4 is received over the sprocket-Whcel 59 and a sprocket wheel 75 fixed to the agitator shaft 31 for driving the agitator shaft from the engine 55. The agitater shaft heid in emiwise relation in its bearings.

When the mixture has been charged into the tank. the tank is cha ed by the closing of the door plug 14 and ciamping of the same in position, it being understood that the outlet opening has been previously closed prior to charging.

In order to retain the heat of the mixture, during cold weather, the tank 11 is insulated, as by surrounding the same with a heat insulating jacket 76, and providing its heads with heat insulating la ers 77, 78.

The engine 55 is provide with suitable usual controls for insuring its continuous proper operation, indicated by levers 81, 82, 83, for instance, controlling the starter 84, the ignition, and the gas supply, which eontrols are accessible to the driver of the vehicle while situated in the cab 65, as by reaching through the rear opening 64 in said ca These levers may be mounted on an instrument board 85 extending from the stand 52. The levers 81 and 82 respectively control suitable usual electric connections in the starting and ignition devices for the engine 55, and the lever 83 has usual operative connection with the usual fuel controls of an internal combustion engine.

The mixture is conveyed to the site of use while being stirred or agitated, and at the site of the use the mixture is dumped in homogeneous and live condition for uses for which it may be put in the building or other operation for which it is intended. For convenientl delivering the mixture, the tank is rovide with an outlet opening 91 at the ower portion of its rear end, which outlet openin is (preferably in the head 47.

The ea is provided with a door ring 92 at said opening. A closing plug 93, which preferably has a frusto-conical closing joint with said door ring, is arranged to close said opening. It is articulated with a clamping strap 94 by means of links 95 articulated with said strap and said plug. The strap is hinged by a hinge 96 to the tank. A screw 97 is pivoted to the tank and is arranged to be received in a fork 98 at the other end of said strap. A wing nut 99 is threaded over said screw for clamping the strap and the plug toward the door ring.

For convenience in dumping, suitable tilting means are provided for the tank, preferably operated by the vehicle engine. The rear end of the tank is preferably hinged to the chassis 10 of the truck, as by means of hinges 101 between the rear ends of the platform 53 and said chassis, at the respective sides of said platform and chassis.

-The platform is provided with a depending are piece 102 at each side thereof. These are pieces are rigidly fixed to the platform. A housing 03 extends crosswise of the chasand has a screw rod 104 extending from its middie. Wheels 105 at the respective ends of said housing are received about a shaft 100 which forms part of said housing. These wheeis react with the arcuate faces of the respective are pieces depending from the platform.

The shaft also has wheels 106 thereon at its respective ends which coact with tracks 107 extending lengthwise of the chassis at the respective sides of the latter and rigidly fixed to the chassis. The wheels 105 and 106 have flan es 108 therebetween for locating said whee s endwise.

The screw rod is slidable endwise in bearings 111, 112, 113, fixed to the chassis. A nut 114 is threaded to the screw rod and is held endwise between the bearings 111, 112. The nut is provided with a pinion 115 which is arranged to be driven by a gear 116 meshing therewith. This pinion is normally loose on a driven shaft 117 extending from the usual transmission case 118 of the truck, and driven selectively at various speeds and in reverse directions by the gearing therein, which is in turn driven by the truck enine 6.

A clutch 121 is located between said gear 116 and an endwise shiftable clutch collar 122. This clutch collar has spline groove and key connection with the shaft 117.

An operating lever 124 is pivoted at 125 to the chassis, and has a fork 126 provided with pins received in an annular groove 127 of the shiftable clutch collar. An operating rod 128 has articulation 129 with said clutch lever, and is provided with a handle 130, located in the truck cab at the drivers position for being readily operated by the driver seated in the truck cab.

During dumping of the contents of the tank, the rotation of the agitator blades is preferably continued, for full discharge of the contents of the tank, these contents being especially fluid due to its continued and long agitation during travel, the hermetically sealed tank also preventing evaporation of moisture from the tank. After discharge of the mixture, the tank is again lowered into horizontal position.

In order to prevent the formations of a film of set concrete upon the inner face of the wall of the tank or upon the blades, the sha ft, and the operative parts in the tank, I prefer to provide the tank with in charge of water, and to continue the movements of the blades in the tank during the return travel of the tru k to the mixing plant, where thr water in the tank may be discharged and, if desired, used in making sub sequent mixtures.

In order that there may be a supply of water continuously ready for use as'aoon as the mixture has been discharged from the tank. I provide a supplemental tank 131 on the main tank 1i, the same being suitably fixed thereto. A passage 132. which includes a valve i233. is between the supplemental tank and the main tank. for charging the waterfrom the supplemental tank into the main tank.

The supplemental tank is provided with a charging opening 134, comprising a closing ring 135 arranged to be closed by a clming plug 136, hingedly pivoted to a clamping strap 137, which is hinged and releasably secured to the supplemental tank in manner similar to the hinging and securing of the closing straps 15, 94, with relation to the main tank. The supplemental tank is preferably provided with heat insulation 138 thereabout. The bottom of the supplemental tank preferably impinges directly on the top of the agitator tank. for transferring heat from the supplemental tank to the agitator tank. The heat insulation 138 at the top and sides of the supplemental tank preterably merges with the heat insulating jacket 7 6 surrounding the agitating tank.

The supplemental tank is arranged to be charged with water prior to departure of the truck from the charging station, and this water will in cold weather be heated water, which is retained heated by the heat insulation about the supplementary tank.

The exhaust pipe 139 from the engine 55 may be caused to pass through the supplemental tank, as shown at 140. for aiding in heating said water or maintaining the same in heated condition. The exposure of the bottom of the supplemental tank to the top of the agitating tank permits transfer of heat from the heated water in the supplemental tank to the contents of the agitating tank and to the interior of the agitating tank for preventing freezing of the contents of the agitating tank, or for heating said contents.

This water is charged into the main tank by the opening of the valve 133 after the concrete mixture has been discharged from the main tank and the discharging opening thereof has been closed. There is sufficient water charged into the main tank in this manner to cause splashing of the entire interior and operating parts in the main tank during return of the main tank to the charging station.

I prefer to drive the stirrers in the agitator tank by an independent engine, independent of the engine which drives the truck, so as to relieve the truck engine of this duty, and to further provide for rotating the agi tators or stirrers in convenient manner regardless of the positions of the agitator tank.

The delivered mixed batches at the points distanced from the ohargin plant may be poured directly from the agitator tank into the forms for receiving the concrete, or into a chute communicating with elevating mechanism for conveying the mixture to suitable gravity chutes or forms, as may be desired, for immediate use. A sufficient number of trucks may be employed so that the supply of concrete is substantially continuous and in greater quantity than is possible by individual temporary mixing plants, and with the assurance that the concrete produced by my invention and supplied in accordance therewith is of better quality with the same ingredients compared with the concrete supplied by the usual temporary stationary mixing plants now in general use, and with the further assurance that the mixtures are homogeneous and thoroughly stirred and that the strength of the mixtures has been improved by the agitation during their travel to the site of use. and that the mixtures set on the job with maximum solidity and tenacity.

In my improved device the parts are compactly arranged for manipulation and for economic construction and distribution of weight on the traveling vehicle, and the motors are respectively located in front of and to rear of the drivers cab and are both under his control While the vehicle is traveling and while the vehicle is at rest.

My improved device further provides means whereby extremely uniform mixtures are produced and whereby economical handling of the mixture is elicited.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent. is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a self-propelled vehicle comprising a chassis, an engine thereon for dr' ving the vehicle, and a drivers cab on said chassis in rear of said engine, of a platform in rear of said drivers cab, the rear portion of said platform pivoted to the rear portion of said chassis for tiltingly mounting said platform on said chassis, sa d platform extending forwardly along said chassis approximately to said drivers cab and wholly supported by said chassis, an agitator tank fixed to said platform in rear of and spaced from said drivers cab, a second engine mounted on said platform in said space between said agitator tank and said drivers cab, an agitator shaft provided withagitator blades rotatable in said tank, driving 110 means betwen said second-named engine and said shaft, control means in said drivers cab for said first-named engine, control means for said second-named en inc and said driving means adjacent to sai drivers 115 cab, said drivers cab provided with an opening close to said second-named control means, a drivers seat in said drivers cab, said first-named control means and said second-named control means located close 120 to said drivers seat within manual reach from said drivers seat, tilting means for tilting said platform, driving means between said firstmamed engine and said tilting means for operating said tilting means, 125 and control means in said cab for said tilting means.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a self-propelled vehicle comprising a chassis and an engine 130 thereon for driving the vehicle, of a platform pivoted at its rear portion to the rear portion of said chassis and wholly supported by said chassis, an agitator tank fixed on said platform, an internal combustion engine independent of said first-named en ine mounted on and movable with said p atform, an agitator shaft provided with agitator blades rotatable in said tank, driving means between said second-named engine and said shaft, a water-tank mounted on said firstnamed tank, regulatable feeding means between said tanks for feeding the water from said water-tank into said first-named tank, an exhaust pipe from said second-named engine passing through said water-tank and conveying the hot exhaust from said secondnamed engine through said water-tank for heating the water in said water tank during travel of said vehicle, and means for tilting said platform on said chassis whereby to tilt said agitator tank, said agitator shaft, said water tank, said second-named engine and said exhaust pipe with said platform for maintaining operative relations therebetween.

3. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a self-propelled vehicle comprising a chassis, an engine thereon for driving thevehicle, a drivers cab on said chassis, a platform in rear of said drivers cab pivoted at its rear portion to the rear portion of said chassis and wholly supported by said chassis, an agitator tank fixed on said platform in rear of said drivers cab, an agitator engine mounted on said platform be tween the forward end of said agitator tank and said driverscab, an agitator shaft provided with agitator blades rotatable in said tank, driving means between said secondnamed engine and said agitator shaft, con trol means for said vehicle engine, said control means located in said drivers cab, control means for said agitator engine, said control means for said agitator engine located on the forward end of said platform close to said drivers cab, said drivers cab provided with a rear opening at said lastnamed control means, and a drivers seat in said drivers cab between said two-named control means closely related to both said control means for manual manipulation of both said control means from said drivers seat.

4. In a concrete transporting vehicle, the combination with a vehicle comprising a chassis and front wheels and rear wheels thereunder, of a platform whose rear portion is pivoted to the rear portion of said chassis in rear of said rear wheels and extending forwardly along said chassis to a position substantially midway between said front wheels and said rear wheels, said platform wholly supported by said chassis, an agitator tank on said platform, a vehicle motor mounted on the forward end of said chassis, an agitator motor mounted on the forward end of said platform, a drivers cab on said chassis between said motors, control means for said vehicle motor in said drivers cab, control means on the forward end of said platform close to said drivers cab for said agitator motor, said drivers cab provided with a rear opening adjacent to said last-named control means, a drivers seat in said drivers cab between said two'- named control means, said two-named control means closely related to said drivers seat and within manual reach from said drivers seat, said agitator tank and said second-named motor tiltable with said platform, tilting means on said chassis between said front wheels and said rear wheels for tilting said platform, and power driven gearing for said tilting means, said power driven gearing located under said agitator motor and having operative connection with said vehicle motor for being driven by said vehicle motor.

signed my name.

JOHN D. POWELL. 

